ZachXBT, a well-known blockchain investigator , recently shared that he helped the U.S. government recover $20 million stolen in a hack but received no financial reward for his efforts. He discussed his commitment to the crypto industry on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the minimal financial returns for his investigative work.
ZachXBT mentioned that despite his significant contributions, he often remains uncompensated. He has played a crucial role in exposing scams and holding criminals accountable, including aiding in the arrest of hackers involved in a $243 million crypto theft. By tracing blockchain transactions, he has helped authorities identify wrongdoers and uncover complex schemes, such as fraudulent meme coin promotions and deceptive trading practices.
Although ZachXBT’s work has saved millions and helped restore trust in the crypto space, he has stated that financial gain is not his main motivation. However, his lack of compensation raises concerns about the reliance on unpaid, independent investigators in the crypto industry . Many of these investigators work without institutional support, despite their significant contributions.
The crypto community has shown support for ZachXBT. Joey Moose, an NFT holder, initiated a fundraising campaign to back his work, encouraging donations in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. While some praised the effort, others questioned its legitimacy since ZachXBT already has a public donation address. One user humorously warned Moose about the potential consequences of mishandling the funds.
As scams and hacks in the crypto world increase, the need for investigators like ZachXBT is becoming more evident. Recently, scammers attempted to launch a meme coin named after Barron Trump, which was quickly flagged and removed. This incident is part of a larger trend of questionable Trump-related meme coins.
The issue of fair compensation for investigative work remains unresolved. ZachXBT’s situation highlights the challenges faced by independent investigators in the crypto industry. While his efforts are invaluable, they often go unrecognized financially, prompting ongoing discussions about the need for better support and compensation in the field.
